Read Citadels of the Lost for Free Online

the Modalis unless one was sure all his pieces were in place and that all the dice were covered.
    Besides, he loved a good game.

    â€œKyori-Xiuchi,” Sjei said with quiet dignity. “You have summoned this assembly. It is for you to state your cause.”
    In truth, Sjei had exerted considerable effort in influencing Kyori into calling this gathering. He could only hope the doddering old patriarch of the Occuran would actually remember the reason he had been given for summoning everyone to the Modalis forum.
    Smoke from the incense braziers drifted through the large room. To Sjei, the smell was cloying, but it seemed to please Liau Nyenjei, the Minister of Thought, who was very much enamored with such recent fads. The walls were partially hidden behind layers of shadow and smoke. Only a single shaft of light from the open circle in the apex of the domed ceiling illuminated the center of the room. The elven figures sat in their appointed chairs facing toward one another just within the shadows around the bright center of the floor—as they each did in their dealings as the Modalis.
    Kyori stood very slowly.
    Play your part, you old fool, Sjei thought.
    â€œA most troubling report has reached the Occuran regarding the Western Provinces,” Kyori began. “It seems that there has been a disruption of the Aether Wells across most of the province. Several Houses fell completely, their magic failing and their Impress slaves released from the bondage of the House Altars.”
    A low murmur rumbled through the forum space from the other Modalis masters.
    â€œAs control and trade of the Aether is the lifeblood of our Order, this constitutes a threat to the Modalis as well as the Empire at large—making our interests allied with the Imperial Will. I therefore forward the discussion and resolution of this matter before the assembled . . .”
    â€œI beg a question.”
    Sjei frowned. It was Wejon Rei, the Fifth High Priest of the Myrdin-dai and councillor to Master K’chok Valerisom, the Grand Master of their Order. He was a stooped, round-shouldered elf, shorter than most, who had an unfortunate tendency to interrupt others with what he believed were more important or pertinent thoughts of his own. His voice, however, was like honey: smooth, rich, inviting, and occasionally overpowering. It did not help that the Myrdin-dai were still basking in the favor of the Emperor, as Wejon seemed talented at keeping his particular brand of sunshine blinding the members of the Imperial Court. The darker truths of the disaster in the Western Provinces were still effectively hidden from the Emperor’s eyes. So Wejon could afford to interrupt the senior Kyori of his rival Order without fear of reprisal for the time being.
    If Wejon had no fear of the Occuran, then he certainly had no fear of opposing Sjei.
    â€œThe Myrdin-dai have already addressed this matter,” Wejon said with smiling condescension. “We were first aware of this incident in the Provinces and our illustrious Grand Master Valerisom took decisive action that should serve our interests. Our Iblisi brothers . . .”
    Sjei could feel Kyori stiffen. The Iblisi were allied with Kyori’s own Order. Wejon was rubbing the aging patriarch’s face in the recent changes of favor at court.
    â€œ. . . investigated the matter at our request and have since provided us a most satisfactory report in all its particulars. The reports of trouble in the Provinces have been greatly exaggerated and the problem has been fully contained through the mutual efforts of the Myrdin-dai and the Iblisi . I put forward the dismissal of this discussion and the adjournment of this forum.”
    Wejon turned toward Sjei, flashing a syrupy smile as he bowed.
    Kyori glared at the short elf opposite him.
    â€œI am compelled to remind our brother Wejon Rei,” Sjei said with a courteous nod of his own, “that no member of the forum may put forward